Hot Mountain Biking How-Tos

How To: Remove XT or XTR chainring spiders from your crank

Removing the spider from your mountain bike crank is an important part of the cleaning process, allowing you to get at areas on the crank that you never would be able to otherwise. This video features a demonstration of how to do this for XT or XTR chainring spiders. For those who refuse to compromise while cleaning their own bike, this video is a must.

How To: Properly tune the gears on your mountain bike

Performing regular maintenance on your bike is something that should be done to help extend the life. Not doing so can result in pieces working improperly, falling off, or lead to injury.

How To: Perform drive-train maintenance on your mountain bike

One of the big responsibilities when owning a car, bike, or anything is making sure that it is taken well care of. Bicycle's, just like cars, need their parts to be well taken care of using the right tools.

How To: Tell if your mountain bike's chain is worn out

One of the most important pieces of a mountain bike, or any bike for that matter, is the bicycle chain. Without the chain, you can't move your bike and that's a problem.

How To: Easily true your mountain bike wheel using some helpful techniques

If you've never performed any maintenance on your bike, it may be long overdue. This not only will help with the life of your bike, but prevent any injury from occuring.

How To: Fine tune the gears on your mountain bike

If your mountain bike chain keeps falling off, there may be numerous problems that are going on. In this next video tutorial, you'll find out one solution for making sure that your gears are fine tuned and that your chain won't keep falling off. It's not too hard to perform and makes your bike ride more enjoyable. Good luck and enjoy!

How To: Remove and install the gears on a mountain bike easily

If you need to replace the spokes on your rear wheel, change the gearing, replace certain parts, or just clean it, this video is going to show you how to do just that.

How To: Replace the gear cables on your mountain bike easily

If you need to perform some regular maintenance work on your mountain bike, this video may help. In this tutorial, you'll find out how to replace the gear cables on a mountain bike. It can be difficult to do and requires some time, but with this tutorial things may get just a bit easier. So if you need to replace your bike's gear cables because they're worn or damaged, then check out this video. Enjoy!

How To: Figure out the correct frame size for a mountain bike

The frame size of a mountain bike plays a large role in how effectively you will be able to ride it, and it doesn't translate readily into common measurements like weight. Watch this video to learn how to determine what frame size is right for you.

How To: Store your bike in your apartment by hanging it from the ceiling

If you're an urban bike rider, you're probably all too familiar with how hard it is to find a safe, convenient place to store the bike. This video offers one solution, constructing a bike rack on the ceiling in your apartment. It looks cool, and at least it won't get stolen this way.

How To: Find the right bike and bike fit for you

In this video, we learn how to find the right bike and bike fight. First, you need to think about what you are using the bike for, then look at the bikes that are included in that category. After this, you need to test out different bikes to see what type of size works best for you. Once you test out a bike that closely fits you, you can fine tune the bike to fit your body exactly. Once you get on your bike, you need to get your position down correctly and make sure your hands are in the corr...

How To: Remove, install, and fix a flat tire on a mountain bike

The tires on a bike are very important when it comes to it working properly. No tires, then there's no chance of you being able to move. In this three part tutorial, you'll find out some helpful information on how a tire works, how to install and remove the tires, and of course how to fix a flat. It's easy to follow and should make life easier for you and your wallet. Enjoy!

How To: Replace and align v-brake and cantilever brakes on your mountain bike

If you own a mountain bike that is equipped with v-brake or cantilever brakes, this tutorial might be useful. Don't pay an arm and a leg to get your biked fix, instead do it yourself.

How To: Bleed a Shimano brake system

In this tutorial, we learn how to bleed a Shimano break system. First make sure the reservoir is leveled and then take the cover off. Make sure you use mineral oil to clean the top, then rubber band a hose onto the bag. Now take a Shimano spacer and release the fluid by squeezing the lever. When the fluid level has dropped down, fill it back up. When you bleed remember to completely remove the pads, as recommended by Shimano. Replace the pads with the spacer when you are doing this, then you ...

How To: Pack your saddlebag effectively for a triathlon

Whether you ride horses, motorcycles, or bicycles in a triathlon, packing your saddlebag properly is crucial. This video focuses on the latter, offering tips for what to bring with you in your saddlebag during the biking stage of a triathlon. The upshot: bring a flat tire repair kit and practice using it before the race. You won't regret it.

How To: Transition between swim and bike in a triathlon

Switching stages during a triathlon can be a hectic and time-wasting experience for many racers. It need not be so. This video will teach you a couple of easy ways to save time during your transition from swim to bike, the first of the two in the race. By storing your equipment properly you can save yourself a lot of time and worry and have a more enjoyable, successful race.

How To: Dress properly for a triathlon

Triathlons are a lot of work, and making sure that you have the proper clothing will keep you functioning properly throughout the race. This video offers tips for what to wear during each stage of the race, and how to get the gear ready before you race. The moral of the story is: the less you have to think about your gear the day of a race, the better off you are.

How To: Use a race belt to improve your triathlon

If you're ever done a big race before, then you've probably had to deal with attaching a paper number to your chest with safety pins. In a triathlon, where you are going to have to change clothes multiple times, having to keep unpinning and repinning that number can cost you valuable time and effort. This video will show you how a race belt can simplify the process, making switching your numbers location a breeze, even across multiple outfits.

How To: Ride your bike at night safely

Riding your bike can be a great way to avoid traffic and parking hassles, but in the big city especially it can be very dangerous. This quick video will give you some tips for improving your visibility on the bike. Wear bight colors during the day and reflective clothing along with a headlight at night and you will be able to see and be seen wherever you are, and that will help keep you safe.

How To: Install a front derailleur on a bike

If you've ever installed a rear derailleur, you know how hard that is. You probably also know how relatively easy it is to install a front derailleur. If you don't, watch this video. It explains how to quickly and easily install a front derailleur on your bike, keeping your chain straight and ensuring good shifting performance for you bike.

How To: Put the pedals on your bike

Installing new pedals on your bike is one of the simplest types of bike maintenance you can perform, but doing it properly is important or they are likely to fall off while you are riding. Not good. This video will help you attached pedals correctly and quickly, avoiding accidents making sure that your feet have an ideal surface to apply their force to.

How To: Remove or install a cog set on your bike

The cog sets are the iconic pieces of the bike on the wheels with all their delicate layers of gears. This video features detailed instructions from a professional bike mechanic on how to install or remove a cog set on a mountain bike. This is useful if you want to clean your cog set or have purchased a new one that you would like to install.

How To: Perform a pad replace on Avid caliper brakes

Replacing the pads on your bike's brakes is a crucial and reasonably easy part of your bike's maintenance regimen. This video features detailed instructions on how to replace the pads on Avid caliper brakes, ensuring that even in a wet environment your bike will still stop when you want it to.

How To: Overhaul and Hayes caliper brake and re-set the piston

Hydraulic brakes are the new kid in town in the world of bike brakes, but their simplicity and functionality make them a good choice if you want to upgrade your brakes. This video features a professional bike mechanic explaining how to overhaul a Hayes caliper brake and reset the piston on it.

How To: Put new pads on a Hayes caliper brake

If you mountain bike, and are lucky enough to live somewhere that has enough water to support civilization without major civil engineering, then your brake pads are probably going to wear out a lot faster than your dry-climate comrades. Fortunately for you, this video features instructions for how to replace the pads of a Hayes caliper brake for a mountain bike.

How To: Replace the Pads on a Hayes Sole Brake

Hayes sole brakes are a very popular type of bike brake. Then, you probably already know that if you are watching this video. It features a professional mountain bike mechanic explaining how to quickly and easily replace the pads on your beloved Hayes brakes, ensuring a lack of fade while braking and making sure that your bike will stop when it has to every time.

How To: Set up an international standard (IS) brake caliper

Installing and maintaining properly functioning brakes is one of the most important mechanical parts of keeping your bike working safely. This video features a professional bike mechanic setting up an international standard, or IS, brake caliper on a mountain bike.

How To: Install tubeless tires on a mountain bike

Using a tubeless tire system on your mountain bike is a great idea. It decreases the number of parts on your bike that can brake, which is good news for any rider. This video features a professional bike mechanic installing a Stan's Tubeless system on a standard set of bike tires. There are other systems that you can use, but you'll have to find another video to learn how to do the install if you don't use Stan's.

How To: Cut and install SRAM Avid Juicy brakes on your bike

Being able to stop a mountain bike abruptly is crucial to your continued survival if you ride. SRAM Avid Juicy's are a popular type of high-performance mountain bike brakes. This video will teach you how to install and cut said brakes on your bike, as long as you have the proper tools. It features many safety tips for keeping your corrosive brake fluid from damaging all sorts of other things, from your bike's paint to your eyes.

How To: Adjust the front derailleur on a mountain bike

Unlike rear derailleurs, which are very complicated and come in at least two very different styles, front derailleurs are pretty standard across manufacturers. That means you only have to watch this one video to learn how to adjust them! It features a professional mountain bike mechanic walking you through the adjustment process. This ensures proper shifting and chain flow, which will keep you on the bike and riding smoothly.

How To: Install a square-taper bottom bracket and crank

Back in the day, all mountain bikes had square taper bottom brackets and cranks. Modern bike makers have moved away from this style, but some still prefer it. This video will teach you how to install a specialty square-taper bottom bracket and crank on your mountain bike.

How To: Do an overhaul on a Shimano free hub

Bicycle equipment company Shimano is the father of the free hub. This video features a professional mountain bike mechanic walking you through the process for overhauling a Shimano free hub, ensuring that your wheels spin as freely as possible and that your rides will be as easy and fun as the terrain and your effort level will allow.

How To: Do an overhaul on a Mavic free wheel hub

Overhauling the wheel hubs on your bike is important to ensuring proper wheel spin. Proper wheel spin means you get more power out of your pedaling. This video features a professional bike mechanic explaining how to overhaul the free side of a Mavic wheel hub. Keeping the hub clean is vital to making your rides as fun and easy as possible, so don't skip it!

How To: Do an overhaul on a Mavic wheel hub

The wheel hub is the center of great wheel performance for your mountain bike. This video features a professional bicycle mechanic explaining the process for overhauling a Mavic wheel hub, installing a new bearing and cleaning all of the parts, ensuring clean spinning for your wheels and a smooth ride.

How To: Determine why your bike chain is skipping

If you bike chain is skipping, and you aren't sure why, you could have a worn-out cog issue. This is especially likely if you cogs are substantially older than your chains. This video will teach you how to assess your cogs for wear. which will help you determine whether you need new ones or need to take other steps to get your bike riding smoothly again.

How To: Install a P knuckle while overhauling a derailleur

The p knuckle of the rear derailleur is a small part that regulates the tension of the chain running over the derailleur. This video features a professional bike mechanic installing the p knuckle into a rear derailleur during an overhaul of the derailleur. This is an important piece of maintenance even for new equipment, so take note!

How To: Get your rear derailleur into a high normal standard

Most rear derailleurs (read: not Shimano) are high-normal, which means that they shift into the highest gear on the bike by default. This video features a professional bike mechanic walking you through the process of adjusting the rear derailleur and its cables into a high-normal setting, ensuring crisp shifting and a more successful ride.

How To: Adjust cable tension, jockey wheel, derailleur hanger

THere are many parts of the rear derailleur on a mountain or road bike that need frequent adjustment to function properly and give you proper performance on your rides. This video will teach you how to adjust the cable tension, the jockey wheel, and the hanger of the derailleur, ensuring that the whole system is functioning smoothly and that your bike will work as well as possible.

How To: Put the replacement cable in a rear derailleur

The cable that connects your rear derailleur to the shifters on your bike may seem too long, delicate, and complex to fix yourself. You may be right, but if you have some bike maintenance experience and want to try then this video is for you. It walks you through the whole process of replacing the cable in your rear derailleur. It is a long process, and elaborate, but will dramatically improve your shifting performance if your cable is old and worn.

How To: Adjust the adjustment screws on low normal derailleur

Adjusting the rear derailleur on a bike is an important way to fine-tune your bike's shifting performance, but is complicated and can vary in method and effectiveness depending on the brand of derailleur. This video features instructions on how to adjust a low-normal rear derailleur using the adjustment screws.